OEL Aria, a man deeply rooted in both his love for rugby league and his community, is the driving force behind the Hidomo 9s tournament in Alotau, Milne Bay province.
Born to parents from Kairuku and Porebada, Aria’s journey in rugby began in Porebada, but his path was never a conventional one.
He admits he wasn’t the best player on the field.
“I wasn’t really that good,” he laughs, “but I played.”
Despite his modest beginnings, rugby remained a constant in his life, leading him into the city leagues, where he played for teams like Magani and the Mirikuro Bulldogs.
His real breakthrough came when Steven Johns, a rugged rugby veteran, saw potential in him and moved him to Defence in the Port Moresby Rugby League.
“That’s where it all started,” Noel reflects.
His natural leadership began to shine as he took on both playing and coaching roles, often stepping in when things weren’t going to plan.
“I was the type of coach where, if it didn’t work, I was coming in myself,” he jokes.
In 2011, Aria got a taste of professional coaching when he took an assistant coaching role with Digicel Cup franchise, the Hela Wigmen, working under former NRL star Julian O’Neil.
From there, he moved on to the Mendi Muruks and finally to the Rabaul Gurias.
But life had different plans when he fell ill in 2015, forcing him to step away from the game.
His rugby dreams took a detour as he moved to Alotau with his partner.
Despite the health setback, his love for the game never faltered.
In Alotau, he began working with a small team called KB Brothers, composed mainly of young players who were often overlooked by other teams.
He took these underdogs under his wing, introducing not only the game of rugby but also values like fellowship and mentoring that extended beyond the field.
Under his guidance, the KB Brothers didn’t lose a single game for two years until a grand final ended their unbeaten streak.
“The funny thing is, they never lost until the grand final,” he says with a chuckle.
The winning streak wasn’t just about rugby.
Aria was helping shape these young athletes into men who could navigate life beyond the sport.
From coaching KB Brothers to leading the Hidomo Milne Bay select side to the PNG Games in 2017, His passion for rugby league continued to flourish.
He took the team to several tournaments, including the prestigious JT 9’s in Port Moresby in 2018. Under his watchful eye, players like Leeroy Kamau, Todd Mogaidimo, and Thomas Leban earned spots in elite rugby programs like the PNG Hunters and Gurias Academy.
These success stories are testament to Noel’s ability to identify and nurture talent, giving young players a shot at a brighter future.
The Hidomo Rugby League 9s Tournament, which he launched, is a passion project aimed at reigniting the rugby league flame in Milne Bay.
“The fire had gone out. Starting the tournament was a way to bring it back, not just for the youths, but for the province,” he explained.
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